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Pan Electric - Conscious Pilot
Regular followers of things Big Chill will be familiar with Pan Electric through their tune 'Rising Slowly' which kicked off Pete Lawrence's 'Take Me Home' compilation.If you know and like that track or enjoy Fragile State, Air, Honeyroot or the more laidback side of Groove Armada, you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this full-length album release.
Brighton-based composer/producer Matt Coldrick's track record also includes a stint as the guitarist with Fragile State, and keyboard virtuoso Neil Cowley of Fragile State and Zero 7 contributes his trademark electric piano stylings to this album.
The accompanying promo material puts a heavy emphasis on the involvement of Neil and the legendary BJ Cole on pedal steel guitar, but it would be a shame if this overshadowed the impressive and increasingly distinctive sound of the Pan Electric collective.
A cinematic collage of sweeping pads, solid beats and thick basslines, it is crafted but heartfelt, controlled but organic, and the kind of album that is in danger of giving coffee table chillout a good name.
Particularly special moments are the blend of BJ Cole’s widescreen pedal steel with flute on the opening of ’Zumaware’ and the mix of guitar and synths on the introduction to 'April' - 'sounds like Get Carter's cute younger cousin', says my friend Lisa.
The vocal talents of Dan Burke and Julie Kench are used mainly as textures, layered wordless harmonies, until the closing 'Always a Way Back Up' - hey, you can even sing along now!
Can you tell I’m impressed? Go and buy this album, help them make more music like this. That's all.
The Only M
Pan Electric launch 'Conscious Pilot' at The Big Chill House on 27th February, 2008.
Written: 10th Dec, 07
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